Hydrangea plant named ‘BC6.8’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC6.8’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC6.8’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC6.8’ has relatively compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, distinct sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. When grown in the presence of aluminum, the sepals are R.H.S. 71 A (red-purple group).

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC6.8’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC6.8’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC6.8’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as ‘LK49’ which was the seed parent and a commercial variety known as ‘Venedig’ to the inventor which may be the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 and registered as ‘Venice Raven’. ‘Venedig’ was the pollen parent. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plant with wiry stems, relatively small leaves, relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences that are resistant to being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC6.8’ has compact, attractive inflorescences, relatively large sepalous florets, uniform sepal pigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics. The variety ‘BC6.8’ has pigmented sepals, and can be grown in soil conditions treated with aluminum to produce blue pigmentation, as is described here. The color of the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 Currently Commerical Patent variety ‘Venedig’ Pending U.S. Plant which may be Variety Pat. No. U.S. Plant Pat. New Variety ‘BC6.1’ 18,593 No. 10,928 ‘BC6.8’ 13/135,028 ‘True Blue’ ‘Venice Raven’ Leaf size 9 cm × 12 cm wide × Unknown 11 cm wide × 13 cm 15 cm long 15.5 cm long- source U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 Plant 13″ in 6″ 15″ in 6″ pot. Unknown 12″ in 6″ pot- height pot. observed controls grown alongside new variety. Stem Strong Stems are Strong Strong - strength strong but observed benefit from controls grown being staked alongside new variety Sepal Both sides Upper side of Both sides of Upper side of Pigmen- of sepals are sepals is R.H.S. sepalsa are sepals is R.H.S. tation R.H.S. 71 A 86 A (violet R.H.S. 100 D 84 A (violet (red-purple group); Under (blue group). group). Under group). side of sepals side of sepals is is R.H.S. 88 D R.H.S. 85 A (violet group) (violet group) observed controls grown alongside new variety. Sepalous 70 mm 60 mm to 70 50 mm to 60 70 mm- Floret mm mm observed Size controls grown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC6.8’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC6.8’ remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the upperside of a panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown in the figures is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The cuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically treated with aluminum to produce blue pigmentation. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BC6.8’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling     from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as     ‘LK49’ which was the seed parent and the commercial variety known to     the inventor as ‘Venedig’ and which may be ‘Venice Raven’, U.S.     Plant Pat. No. 10,928, which was the pollen parent. -   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature     inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 13″ high and     has a diameter of 18″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil     amendments. -   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The     plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.     Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main     stems. -   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet     group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young stems is     glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young     stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The     older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group)     Younger portions of the stems are 5 to 7 mm in diameter. Older     portions of the stems are 5 to 7 mm in diameter. -   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.     -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins             are serrate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the             leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.         -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A             (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B             (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and             veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on             the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 133 B             (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as 9 cm and 13 cm             long. Petioles are smooth and approximately 2.0 cm long and             4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 133 B (yellow-green group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. Most     buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or non-sepalous     florets, have 4 petals. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are     non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into sepalous     florets. They are approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds     can be 4 mm in diameter and still unopened. Color of mature buds is     R.H.S. 100 A (blue group). -   Aspect: Smooth. -   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers     (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous     florets borne on the same panicle. Flowers do not produce a     fragrance. The peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright.     Very few non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are     later hidden by sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and     non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences are     long-lasting, up to six weeks. -   Size of inflorescence: Compact and globose. Individual inflorescence     size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence     can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and 5″ high. -   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap     one another. Sepals are persistent. -   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence     open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and     complete. Corolla: Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous     florets there are 4 petals which fall off as flower matures. Petals     are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 92 A     (violet-blue group). Lenticels are present on pedicels, lenticels     are no more than 1 mm long. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple     group). Pedicel length for non-sepalous florets averages 4 mm.     Pedicel length of sepalous florets is approximately 30 to 35 mm in     length for plants of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous and     non-sepalous florets continue to elongate as the inflorescence ages.     Pedicels can be 68 B (red-purple group), R.H.S. 71 A (red-purple     group), or R.H.S. 145 C (yellow-green group) near floret when     immature. -   Stamens: 8 to 10 stamens. Filament is approximately 6 to 7 mm long.     Filament is R.H.S. 76 D (purple group). Anther is 1 mm long and is     regular and basally attached. -   Stigma: Two to three style each, although most florets have two     style. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically 1 mm long.     Style is R.H.S. 71 A (red-purple group). Stigma is R.H.S. 76 D     (purple group). -   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior. -   Sepalous florets:     -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.         -   Number of sepals.—4 or 5 sepals per floret, usually 4.         -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.         -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are             entire, but with some crenation.         -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge             and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is             no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets             open. Sepals at maturity are typically 4.2 cm long and 4.8             cm wide. Flowers are typically 7 cm in diameter. The             uppersides of the sepals are R.H.S. 71 A (red-purple group)             and the undersides are the same. Pigmentation develops at             the tips of the sepals and travels inward towards base of             the sepals. -   Fruit: None. -   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC6.8’ substantially as herein shown and described. 